ABSTRACT
Along with sequential editing, the ability to move the camera is the most fundamental aspect that distinguishes film and video from photography, painting, and other visual arts. As we have seen, moving the camera is much more than just going from one frame to another. The movement itself, the style, the trajectory, the pacing, and the timing in relation to the action all contribute to the mood and feel of the shot. They add a subtext and an emotional content independent of the subject. We talked about the cinematic uses of camera moves in Language
of the Lens; here we can cover the techniques and technology of moving the camera. The most basic use of the camera is where you put it. Camera placement is a key decision in storytelling. More than just “where it looks good,” it determines what the audience sees and from what perspective they see it. As discussed in the chapter on Shooting Methods, what the audience does not see can be as important as what they do see.
